1. New Policy Brief - Vulnerable Infants and Toddlers in Four Service Systems

Source: Urban Institute - September 24, 2007

A new policy brief from the Urban Institute entitled Vulnerable Infants and Toddlers in Four Service Systems by Elizabeth Harbison, Joanna Parnes, and Jennifer Ehrle Macomber examines the characteristics of vulnerable young children in four service systems: Early Head Start (EHS); the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC); the child welfare (CW) system; and Part C Early Intervention Programs (Part C). Data suggest that the children and families in these systems have notable similarities. The authors suggest that policy initiatives to support young children's development might benefit from integrating common lessons from the different systems' research findings. The brief is available at
http://www.urban.org/publications/411554.html

2. Comments on the Proposed Changes to the IDEA Part B State Performance Plan (SPP) and Annual Performance Report (APR)

Source: Division for Early Childhood and National Down Syndrome Society - September 17, 2007

On July 17, 2007, the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) published an invitation to comment on proposed changes to the IDEA Part B State Performance Plan (SPP) and Annual Performance Report (APR). Comments were due on September 17, 2007. Below are links to comments submitted by the Division for Early Childhood of the Council for Exceptional Children (DEC) and the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS). The main focus is on indicator #6 related to the settings in which preschool children receive their special education and related services.

3. Online Educational Video for Physicians on Screening for Autism

Source: Autism Speaks - September 28, 2007

The Advanced Studies in Medicine Program at Johns Hopkins University, in collaboration with Autism Speaks, recently produced a video entitled Screening for Autism and the Management of Neurobehavioral Comorbidities: A Primer for General Pediatricians. The video is meant to help pediatricians and other health professionals better understand the signs and symptoms of autism. It is not meant to be used by parents or other caregivers to diagnose autism in their own children. For more information go to
http://www.autismspeaks.org/science/science_news/asm_video.php. The video can be viewed at
http://www.jhasim.com/Autism/

4. Working Paper - The Impact of Teacher Education on Outcomes in Center-Based Early Childhood Education Programs: A Meta-analysis

Source: National Institute for Early Education Research - September 28, 2007

Findings from a recent meta-analysis conducted by the National Institute for Early Education Research (NIEER) entitled The Impact of Teacher Education on Outcomes in Center-Based Early Childhood Education Programs: A Meta-analysis, by Pamela Kelley and Gregory Camilli indicate that outcomes in center-based early childhood care and education programs are more positive when teachers have a bachelor's degree than when teachers have less education. For more information go to
http://nieer.org/docs/index.php?DocID=185

5. State Child Care Assistance Policies 2007

Source: National Women's Law Center - September 24, 2007

The National Women's Law Center (NWLC) recently released its annual analysis of state child care policies, finding that despite some progress in the last year, most states are behind where they were in 2001 and fall short in providing low-income families with the assistance they need to access good quality child care for their children. Without assistance, these families risk losing their jobs and their children risk losing the opportunity for child care that can help promote learning and development. The analysis found that states are particularly remiss in compensating providers who serve low-income children. To read the full press release go to http://www.nwlc.org/details.cfm?id=3129&section=newsroom. To view the analysis go to
http://www.nwlc.org/pdf/StateChildCareAssistancePoliciesReport07Web.pdf

6. Healthy Steps for Young Children: Sustained Results at 5.5 Years

Source: Commonwealth Fund - September 12, 2007

Healthy Steps for Young Children was a clinical trial supported by the Commonwealth Fund that incorporated developmental specialists and enhanced developmental services into pediatric care during the first 3 years of life. A total of 5565 children were enrolled at birth and followed through 5.5 years. Results showed benefits in terms of quality of care for families and positive parenting behaviors more than two years post intervention, according to an article published in the September issue of Pediatrics. An abstract is available online at
http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/120/3/e658

The Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center

eNotes is compiled and distributed by the Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center (ECTA Center), pursuant to cooperative agreement H326P120002 with the Office of Special Education Programs, U.S. Department of Education (ED). Grantees undertaking projects under government sponsorship are encouraged to express their judgment in professional and technical matters. Opinions expressed do not necessarily represent the Department of Education's position or policy.